Dubai blends futuristic skylines, calm desert landscapes, and a waterfront lifestyle, offering a striking contrast to New Zealand’s wide-open scenery. You find luxury, innovation, and accessible family fun in one compact city.
Discover Dubai
Discover Dubai
Why visit Dubai?
What to expect
Expect towering landmarks, vast malls, sandy beaches, and traditional souks sitting side by side. The city moves at a confident pace, with efficient roads, polished service, and neighbourhoods that feel purpose-built for visitors.
Plan your trip
Dubai is a natural hub for journeys between New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Use it as a short escape for sun and shopping, or as a stop on a longer multi-city itinerary through the region.
Top sights in Dubai
Burj Khalifa
Ride high-speed lifts to observation decks for sweeping views of the skyline, desert, and Arabian Gulf, especially atmospheric at sunset.
Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain
Explore hundreds of shops and attractions, then step outside at dusk to watch the choreographed fountain shows against the city lights.
Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence
Stroll the waterfront promenade, relax on the beach, or join a sunset cruise to see the skyline from the water.
Dubai Creek and Al Fahidi Historic District
Cross the creek by traditional boat, then wander narrow lanes lined with restored houses, galleries, and museums that trace the city’s past.
Desert safari
Head beyond the city for dune drives, sandboarding, and a calm evening under the stars in the surrounding desert.
Palm Jumeirah
Visit this palm-shaped island for beach clubs, hotels, and elevated views of Dubai’s coastline from rooftop venues and viewing points.
Dubai Frame
Walk across the glass-floored sky bridge of this giant frame-shaped landmark, framing old and new Dubai in a single view.
Experience Dubai’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
The Dubai Metro links the airport with many key districts, supported by trams, buses, and plentiful taxis for door-to-door trips. For a different view, try an abra across Dubai Creek, then use ride-hailing for the last leg back to your hotel.
Local life & culture
Life in Dubai revolves around air-conditioned malls, waterfront promenades, and neighbourhood parks, especially in the evenings. You experience a mix of cultures, languages, and styles, with residents drawn from across the world creating a cosmopolitan, welcoming mood.
Where to unwind
Cool off along Jumeirah’s beaches in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light softens and the heat eases. For a calmer escape, visit landscaped parks or take a sunset walk around the marina as the city lights reflect on the water.
A taste of Dubai
Street food & local specialties
Try shawarma, grilled meats, and fresh flatbreads at simple cafés and street-side stalls, especially around older districts near Dubai Creek and Deira. You also find regional rice dishes and mezze in casual spots popular with residents.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Dubai’s malls and modern districts are packed with cafés, food courts, and mid-range restaurants serving Middle Eastern, South Asian, East Asian, and Western flavours. Portions are often generous, so sharing plates lets you sample a range of dishes in one sitting.
Signature & scenic dining
Book a table at venues overlooking the Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, or fountains near Burj Khalifa for memorable city views with your meal. Many hotels host refined restaurants where carefully plated menus match the skyline outside the windows.
Retail therapy in Dubai
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Dubai’s vast malls double as social spaces, bringing together international brands, regional designers, cinemas, and indoor attractions under one roof. You can move easily between shopping, dining, and entertainment in air-conditioned comfort.
Markets & local crafts
Browse the traditional souks around Deira and Dubai Creek for textiles, fragrances, and regional handicrafts, then explore smaller concept stores in newer districts. These areas are ideal for finding gifts that reflect the city’s desert and coastal setting.
Evening retail scene
As the temperature drops, malls, promenades, and illuminated souk streets become livelier, with shops often open late into the night. Metro links, trams, and plentiful taxis make it easy to reach these areas and return to your hotel afterwards.
Best time to visit Dubai
November to March is peak season, with warm, pleasant weather around 19–26°C (66–79°F) and comfortable evenings for outdoor activities. April to early May and late October fall into the shoulder season, with hotter days around 27–33°C (81–91°F) but generally manageable heat if you plan indoor breaks. Late May to September is low season, with very hot conditions often 34–41°C (93–106°F) and high humidity, when most time is best spent in air-conditioned spaces or at the pool.